Stenciling device



Feb. 20, 1951 s, ROSEN 2,542,059

STENCILING DEVICE Filed Aug. 29, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l l l I LQ;./ I I I I 24 I I 2l I I 33 I 26 2O /2\ se Il 27 34 35 I I /9 J \II II J 26 22 j' I A5 29 fl 1. f 4 3 3o I 7 II I I// :aa e 37 39 9 Q3 )147/ z'\ vx5 S a B 2M* 7 In* Y e u /5 f'y' /3 y l 4.... l I [1 I' .ph Y /9 A INVENToR. I Il 7 ln' l l By l l Il' IIl /6 9 /O IIIIII 2l TTORNEY Filed Aug. 29, 1346 s sheets-sheet 2 Feb. 20, 1951 A s. ROSEN 2,542,059

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ifTOR/VE/V Feb. 20, 1951 s, ROSEN 2,542,059

STENCILING DEVICE Filed Aug. 29, 1946 5 sheets-sheet 3 Patented Feb. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, Without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a stenciling device, and more particularly, to a self-contained stenciling device for marking packages, boxes, crates, and the like.

stenciling devices heretofore have been cumbersome either involving the use of separate brush and ink means or requiring adjustment and resetting of the stencil letters to spell out complete words and sentences. Thus, the existing devices have proven to be unsuitable for stenciling labels, instructions, and the like, rapidly and eiciently on crates, packages, and boxes in plants, Warehouses, and depots. It is therefore a major object of this invention to provide a stenciling device constituting a self-contained complete unit which is simple, eflicient, readily portable and combining a brush means, ink means, and a stencil holder, and which may be set unitarily against the article to be stenciled for the stenciling operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved stenciling device including a stencil holder and a reciprocating brush so that the brush can be moved over the stencil and the stenciling completed by a single stroke.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved stenciling device having a stencil holder and a brush which may be reciprocated and rotated simultaneously over the stencil so that the bristles will readily reach the article to be marked through the stencil. l

It is still another object of this invention to provide a stencil clamping means having a housing formed thereon in which the housing is provided with an elongated slot for receiving a rotary brush and in which the slot is provided with a rack along an edge to cause rotation of the brush during movement of the brush along the slot.

A further vobject of the invention is to provide a stenciling device having a stencil holder with` a brush mounted thereover for movement across'A the stencil and in which the brush is provided with an ink reservoir from which ink flow is controlled by a manually operable valve.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a self-contained complete stenciling device having handles thereon to facilitate lifting yand placing the device against the article to be marked, and in which the handles are also utilized to` move the brush over the stencil. 2

Still another object of the invention is to `provide a relatively large stenciling device having means to guide an ink brush inseveral paths over the stencil so that all of the stencil area will be covered by the brush in a series of back and forth strokes.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a relatively large stenciling device having a plurality of aligned brushes movable unitarily over the stencil in a direction at right angles to the line of the brushes so that the stencil area will be covered by a single stroke of the series of brushes.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following detailed description and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and reference is had t0 the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which: Y c

Figure 1 is a transversesectional view through one embodiment of the stenciling device of this invention showing the interior construction of the device;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the stenciling device shown in'Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the same stenciling device in operative position against a box, crate, or the like;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the same stenciling device in open position for insertion or removal of the stencil board;

Figure 5is a fragmentary sectional detail showing the means for clamping the stencil board;

Figure 6 is av perspective View of a modified form of stenciling device embodying a single reciprocating brush traveling in a tortuous path; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of still another modified form of stenciling device embodying a plurality of brushesl designed to travel simultaneously along rectilinear parallel paths.

Referring to Figures l to 5, inclusive, of the drawings, disclosing the preferred embodiment of this invention, the reference numeral l refers generally to a stencil board holder comprising cooperating frame-like clampingmembers 2 and 4 hinged together at one end, as at 3, and adapted to close together for clamping a stencil board S therebetween. To clamp and hold the stencil board S effectively, the clamping member 2 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 5 on which the stencil board rests, and the clamping member 4 is provided with longitudinaly extending clamping surfaces 5', shaped as shown in Figures 4 and 5, for cooperating with flange 5 to grip the stencil board S therebetween. The

clamping member 2 is provided with upstanding walls 2' on three sides for guiding the stencil board into position on the inwardly extending flange 5, the fourth side of the member 2 not having a wall to permit the clamping member 4 to hinge upwardly freely, as shown in Fig. 4. The stencil holder I is illustrated as being of rectangular shape to receive" a stencil board of such shape but it is within the purview of this invention to utilize other stencil holder shapes, as required by the shape of the stencil board. To hold the clamping member 4 in cooperative clamping engagement with clamping member 2, there is provided a pair of detents 6 on that end of member 4 opposite from the hinges 3, whereby said detents 6 frictionally engage the interior of the upstanding walls 2 to retain the parts in clamping closed position. A plurality of spurs 1, if desired, may be aiixed to the corners of the clamping member 2 for affording a rm engagement of the stencil holder with the surface to be marked.

As clearly shown in Figures l, 2 and 3, the clamping member 4 is formed With upstanding walls 8, joined by a horizontally disposed top wall 9 to form a mounting or housing. The wall 9 is provided with an elongated slot IU having a rack II formed along one edge, for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The wall 9 supports, in slidable relation, a carriage denoted generally by reference numeral I2, and consisting of a base member I3 provided with a circular opening I4 therethrough and a cylindrical housing I5 upstanding from the base I3 and encircling the opening I4. The Wall 9 is provided with an elongated ball race I6 on each side of the slot Ill for receiving ball bearings II mounted for free rotation in the base I3 to provide for easy sliding of the carriage I2 on the wall 9. The base I3 is provided with a plurality of arms I8 for supporting a pair of handles I9 to facilitate manual sliding of carriage I2 over the slot III, ras illustrated in Figure 3. It is preferable for the handles I9 to constitute rollers supported by the arms I8 and positioned laterally of the carriage I2, as illustrated in Figure 3, so that the fingers of an operator may easily encircle the handles. I'he top of cylinder I5 is provided with a plurality of set screws 29 for securing a brush mechanism in position, in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The brush mechanism denoted generally by reference numeral 2| comprises a stem 22 provided with bristles 23 at one end and an ink reservoir 24 at the other end, al1 in coaxial alignment. The ink reservoir is provided with a filler opening 25 by means of which the ink supplyin the reservoir may be replenished. A passageway 2B in the stem 22 forms a communication between the reservoir 24 and the bristles 23 whereby ink may ow from the reservoir to the bristles. To control the flow of ink, a slidable gate valve 2'I is provided in the stem 22, the gate valve being provided with an opening 28, which when moved into registration with passageway 26, will permit ink to flow, The valve 21 is normally urged to closed position by means of a coil spring 29, as shown in Figure l, yieldingly urging outwardly the valve stem 30, fixed to the valve 2'I. A push button 3i formed on the outer end of stem 30 is provided for manual operation of the valve 21 to open position ywhen an ink supply is required. A lateral opening 32 is provided in the cylinder I5 to provide access to the push button 3I for regulation of the ink supply.

The stem 22 of the brush 2| is provided with a.

ball bearing mounting 33 comprising an exteriorly grooved ring 34 xed to the stem 22, an interiorly grooved outer ring 35 freely rotatable relative ring 34, and ball bearings 39 riding in the grooves of these rings, as clearly shown in Figure l. The outer ring 351s held in set position by the setscrews 29 so that the brush 2| will be mounted in carriage I2 to move therewith along the top wall 9. At the same time, the mounting 33 affords free rotary motion of the brush 2l about its longitudinal axis relative carriage I2.

The stem 22 of the brush 2I is provided With a ring gear 3l affixed thereto and designed to cooperate with the rack II formed on one edge of the slot IIJ so that when the carriage I2 is manually moved on wall 9 longitudinally along the slot I the rack I I will drive gear Si to rotate the brush 2I about its longitudinal axis. Thus, it is apparent that from the structure described and illustrated, the brush 2l receives sliding movement due to its mounting in carriage I2 and simultaneously receives rotary movement through its gear connection with rack I I. This combined sliding and rotary movement of the brush ZI, enables the bristles 23 to work into the openings of the stencil board and feed ink to every part of the exposed surface of the article being marked.

In order to hold the parts in a self-contained assembled relationship and to keep the carriage I2 on the wall 9 even When the device is positioned on its side, as shown in Figure 3, an abutment or Washer 38 is mounted on the stem 22 of the brush as by screwing thereon, or otherwise, at a point just below the gear 31, for the purpose of engaging the under surface 39 of the Iwall 9, as illustrated in Figure 1. Thus, it is evident that the abutment or Washer 38 applied to the brush will prevent the brush 2I and carriage I2 from being lifted off of the wall 9 and will keep all the parts in properly assembled relationship and the Whole stenciling device may be tilted to the position shown in Figure 3 without causing a disassembly of the parts. Thus, by merely grasping the handles I9, the stenciling device may be unif tarily lifted and tilted for marking the sides of crates, boxes or other packages. In .assembling the brush 2I, it may be inserted up through the slot I0, with the parts in the position of Figure 4, and the setscrews 20 may then be tightened to hold the brush 2l in position relative the carriage I2.

In operation, with the parts assembled and with the ink reservoir filled, it is rst necessary to separate the clamping members 2 and 4, as shown in Figure 4, for insertion and clamping of the stencil board. The stenciling device may then be grasped and lifted, with the hands encircling handles I 9, and carried to a position, as shown in Figure 3, against the side or top of the box or package B to be stenciled. If the spurs I are used, they will assist in holding the stencil holder and the stencil board steadily against the box or package B. Then with the stencil board in position against the box or package, it is merely necessary to slide the carriage I2 to the left from the position shown in Figure 3. This motion will slide and rotate the bristles 23 of the brush along the stencil board to mark the package. y Then when the stenciling device is used for marking the next package which may be above, below, or to one side of the package rst marked, the device is carried to its new position with the hands still engaging handles I9 and the carriage I2 may be moved to the right, back to its original 76 position to thus mark the second package. Thus,

it is evident that for marking a plurality of boxes or packages with the same marking, the stenciling device of this invention aiords a simple and eiective mode of marking, first by moving the carriage I2 to the left for one package and then to the right for the next package, and so on for succeeding packages, all being accomplished without removing the hands from the handles I9. It is to be noted that when the brush moves to the left in Fig. 3, it is rotated clockwise and then when it is moved to the right, it is rotated counterclockwise. verse rotation of the brush in successive marking strokes not only saves time since the device can be used for the next marking operation in the position resulting from the previous operation without resetting the device, but also keeps the bristles 23 flexible and uniform by alternately reversing the direction of forces on the bristles.

Thus, it is apparent that the method of operation of the stenciling device of this invention is relatively simple requiring merely an insertion of a stencil in the clamp, placing the stenciling device on the surface to be marked, and moving the brush either left to right, or right to left, to mark the article by a single stroke.

kDuring the sliding and rotary movement of the brush 2|, the ink-control push button 3| will rotate within the cylindrical housing I5 to and from the position shown in Figure i. Thus, it is evident that the push button 3| will be accessible for replenishing the ink supply only at the end of a stroke when the push button will be in the position of Figure 1 in registry with the opening 32. In the use of the stenciling device of this invention, the ink supply Will require replenishment only at intervals, and it will be readily apparent to an operator when push button 3| should be operated to replenish the ink supply.

Reference is now made to Figure 6 disclosing another form o-f this invention embodying a design adapted to receive a comparatively large stencil board. This embodiment utilizes carriage H2 and brush I2I constructed exactly the same as the carriage I2 and the brush 2| disclosed in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive. The clamping members |02 and Iil4l are constructed similarly to the clamping members 2 and 4 of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, except as to size. In order to enable the brush I 2| to cover r the relatively large stencil area, a tortuous slot IIU is provided in the wall |09, which slot is provided with a rack I II continuously along one edge as shown in Figure 6. Thus, it is evident as the carriage II2 is reciprocated back and forth along the slot IID that the single brush I2I will completely cover the large stencilboard. As with the embodiment of Figures l to 5, inclusive, during the sliding action of brush I2I, it will be forced to rotate through the coaction of the gear on the brush cooperating with rack III. In this embodiment, the ball bearings Il have been eliminated and instead the carriage M2 is supported directly on the wall IUS. This construction enables the carriage II2 to be moved from one line to the next line without turning the carriage about its vertical axis, movement being such that the handles IIs willextend at all times in the same direction. Thus in use, the carriage II2, from the position of Figure 6, is moved to the right, then downwardly to negotiate the curve, then to the left, then downwardly to negotiate the next curve, and so on. Thus, it is evident that through the use of the embodiment of Figure 6, the stenciling device of this This reverse sliding and re f invention may be adapted to mark a large area on a box or package by the means of a single relatively small brush by guiding the brush back and forth in a tortuous path to completely cover the stencil area. Similarly to the o-ther embodiments, the carriage II2 may be moved from the top of the ,path to the bottom of the path, or vice Versa, depending on the position of the carriage II2 before start of the operation. In a series of marking operations, the direction of movement of the carriage will alternately reverse. Thus, by the use of this type of stenciling device involving alternate reciprocation of the carriage for successive stenciling operations, time will be saved since no resetting of the brush will be required, and the bristles will be maintained flexible and uniform due to the alternate reversal of the direction of the forces on the bristles. The particular shape of the slot I It is only by Way of illustration since it is Within the purview of this invention to utilize other shapes for the slot so long as the slot provides for motion of the brush I2I along several offset paths to cover a stencil of relatively large area.

The embodiment of Figure 7 is provided with a series of brushes y.532! in alignment in a transverse direction as shown, each brush beingconstructed the same as the Ibrush 2| of the embodiment o Figures 1 to 5, inclusive. The clamping members 202 and 2631i are similar to those of the embodiment of Figure 6 except that the top Wall 209 is provided with a plurality of elongated rectilinear slots 2li?, each one of which is similar to the slot II! in the embodiment of Figures lto 5, inclusive. .Each slot ZID has one edge 2II thereof formed into a rack similar to the rack Il of Figures l to 5, inclusive. The carriage 2 i2 of Figure '7 is similar to the carriage i2 in the embodiment of Figures 1 to'5, inclusive, except that it is made wider so that all of the brushes 2| may be mounted therein in alignment and in spaced relationship, as shown in Figure 7. Each brush 22| is independently 'mounted for rotary movement in the carriage 2I2 and is preferably provided with a ring gear as in the other embodiments for coaction with the racks 2H. respectively, so that when the carriage 2I2 is moved to the right in Figure 7, the series of brushes 22| will slide simultaneously along the stencil board and each Will be rotated simultaneously about its own longitudinal axis. In this ebodiment, the ball races 2| 6 may be provided. if desired, to reduce the friction between the slide 2I2 and Wall 209 as in the structure of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive. This embodiment, similarly to the embodiment of Figure 6, is adapted to be used with relatively large stencils, wherein a large areay is to be covered. By the use of a plurality of brushes, the stencil area may be covered by a single stroke, thus saving a great deal of time. As with the other embodiments, the carriage 2I2 may be moved, with the hands encircling handles 2I9, either to the right or to the left for the stenciling operation, depending on the position of the carriage 2I2 before start of the operation. By alternate reciprocation of the carriage for successive stenciling operations, time will be saved since no brush resettingis required ,and the bristles will be maintained flexible and uniform since direction of the forces on the bristles will be alternately reversed as with the other embodiments. Figure 7 illustrates the use of four brushes 22| but this is only by way of example since a greater or lesser number of brushes may be used within the scope of this invention.

Though eachV .of the embodiments described includes the use of a gear on each brush to provide for rotary movement of the brush, it is Within the scopeof this invention to eliminate the gears, if desired, to provide merely for sliding brush action. However, it is preferred to utilize the gears to produce simultaneous rotary and sliding brush action.

Though the description refers to the use of an ink marking fluid, it is Within the purview of this invention to use any form of marking uid, including paint, in the reservoir 24.

While the invention has been described in more or less detail, it is not to 'be limited thereby, as changes may be made in the form, arrangement and construction of parts, and equivalents may be substituted, Without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed, the forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim:

l. A ,stenciling device comprising a stencil holder, a mounting on said stencil holder, and having an elongated slot, a carriage reciprocably mounted on said mounting, a brush extending through said slot and being mounted for free rotation about its vertical axis on said carriage, a rack formed on one edge of said slot, and a ring gear on said crush cooperating with said rack whereby manual reciprocation of said carriage will reciprocate and rotate said brush.

2. A stenciling device comprising a pair of clamping frames adapted to clamp and hold a stencil therebetween, one of said frames being formed into a housing, one Wall of said housing having an elongated slot, a carriage slidably mounted on said housing over said slot, and a brush mounted on said carriage and extending through said slot, said brush having bristles adapted to engage a stencil held between said frames.

3. A stenciling device comprising a stencil holder, a freely movable mounting over said holder, a brush means in said carriage, handles on said carriage adapted to facilitate manual movement oi said carriage and brush relative said holder, and means to conne said carriage against separation from said holder whereby said handles may be adapted for manual lifting of the device as a unit.

4. A stenciling device comprising means 'for holding a stencil, a mounting over said means, and having an elongated slot formed therein, a freely slidable carriage resting on said mounting for movement over said slot, a brush mounted in said carriage and extending through said slot, and an abutment on said brush adapted to engage the mounting to prevent disengagement of said car riage and brush from said mounting.

5. A stenciling device comprising means Vfor holding a stencil, a housing formed on said means, a Wall on said housing having a tortuous slot formed therein, a carriage mounted on said Wall for freely slidable movement along said tortuous slot, and a brush mounted in said carriage and extending through said slot and having bristles adapted to contact a stencil held by said means.

6. A stenciling device comprising means for holding a stencil, a housing formed on said means, a Wall on said housing in opposition to a stencil held by said means and having a plurality of parallel elongated slots formed therein, a carriage mounted on said wall for unobstructive reciprocable movement in the direction of said slots, and a plurality of brushes mountedin said carriage, each extending through one of said slots and having bristles adapted to contact a stencil .held by said means.

` 7. A stenciling device comprising a stencil holder, a mounting on said holder provided with an elongated siot, a carriage reciprocably mounted on said mounting, a vertically-disposed brush mounted for rotation about its vertical axis and extending through said slot, and cooperating means on the brush and mounting for imparting a rotary movement to the brush as the carriage is moved along the mounting.

SHY ROSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 160,113 McGavin Feb. 23, 1875 257,423 Williamson May 2, 1882 422,889 Parish Mar. d, 1890 1,552,788 Whittaker Sept. 8, 1925 1,704,224 Sitkin Mar. 5, 1929 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,542,059 February 20, 1951 SHY ROSEN Itis hereby certied that error appears in the printed specioation of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 52, for longitudinally read longitudinally; column 6, line 51, for ebodiment7 read embodiment; column 7, line 43, for mounting read carriage;

and that the said. Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the 'same may conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Oice,

Signed and sealed this 1st day of May, A. D. 1951.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'sszoner of Patents. 

